Latest news with #SuriyaJuangroongruangkit
CNA
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Thai anti-graft body launches investigation into suspended PM Paetongtarn, says local media and official
BANGKOK: Thailand's anti-graft body on Monday (Jul 14) launched an investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an alleged ethical violation stemming from her leaked call with Cambodia's former leader, according to an anti-corruption official and local media reports. Paetongtarn is also currently suspended from duty pending a verdict in a Constitutional Court case on the same issue. The court on Jul 1 accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards, based on a leak of a politically sensitive telephone conversation with Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen that was intended to de-escalate a territorial row and tense troop buildup at their border. The court has considered the petition ... and unanimously accepts the case for consideration," it said in a statement earlier. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit took over in a caretaker capacity, while the court considers the case against Paetongtarn, who has 15 days to respond and remains in the Cabinet as the new culture minister following a reshuffle. Paetongtarn told reporters on Jul 1 that she accepted the court's decision to suspend her. "It's always been my intention to do the best thing for my country," she said. "I'd like to apologise to Thai people who are frustrated about this." She said: "I will continue to work for the country as a Thai citizen. "My true intention in the leaked conversation, my true intention 100 per cent, was to work for the country to maintain our sovereignty and save the lives of all our soldiers," Paetongtarn said. During a Jun 15 call intended to defuse escalating border tensions with Cambodia, Paetongtarn, 38, called Hun Sen "uncle" and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologised and said her remarks were a negotiating tactic. The leaked call with the veteran Cambodian politician triggered domestic outrage and has left Paetongtarn's coalition with a razor-thin majority, with a key party abandoning the alliance and expected to soon seek a no-confidence vote in parliament, as protest groups demand the premier resigns. Paetongtarn's battles after only 10 months in office underline an intractable power struggle between the billionaire Shinawatra dynasty and an influential establishment backed by the army - a two-decade grudge match that has seen two military coups and court rulings that have toppled multiple parties and prime ministers.
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Veteran Thai minister Phumtham set to become acting PM after predecessor's one-day stint
Phumtham Wechayachai is poised to take over as Thailand 's acting prime minister, as the Pheu Thai-led government grapples with deepening political uncertainty following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra He will replace Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who held the position for just one day. Phumtham's assumption of the role hinges on his formal swearing-in as interior minister, scheduled for Thursday, following a royal decree approving a cabinet reshuffle. His promotion is widely seen as a strategic move by the ruling coalition to ensure leadership continuity and demonstrate stability amid growing political pressure. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and acting caretaker prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit arrives to attend a cabinet meeting in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: EPA The 71-year-old political veteran is a pillar of the Pheu Thai Party and is widely regarded as a trusted confidant of the Shinawatra family . He previously held several senior cabinet positions, including commerce minister and defence minister, and served as acting prime minister for three days last year following the Constitutional Court's removal of then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin Phumtham's new role as interior minister in the ministerial shake-up places him higher in the cabinet hierarchy than Suriya, as outlined by Thailand's constitutional line of succession, which prioritises ministers based on the seniority of their portfolios. Paetongtarn , daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra , was suspended by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday while it investigates a complaint alleging that she breached ethical standards. The case centres on a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen , during which she reportedly referred to a top Thai general as 'an opponent' and Hun Sen as 'uncle'. Critics say the remarks were inappropriate and damaging to national security. 04:40 Thai court suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra over leaked phone call Thai court suspends PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra over leaked phone call While the Constitutional Court has yet to decide on Paetongtarn's potential removal, the scandal has dealt a serious blow to Pheu Thai's hold on power. The Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition on June 18, prompting the resignation of eight ministers and leaving the government with a slim majority. The opposition has seized on the turmoil to question the administration's legitimacy and leadership.
Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand's political chaos: what happens next?
Thai Premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been accused of breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution. (AP pic) BANGKOK : Thailand's constitutional court suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra today as it considers a petition filed by 36 senators seeking her dismissal. The senators have accused the 38-year-old premier of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards in violation of the constitution over a leaked telephone conversation with Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen. Who will lead the government now? With the prime minister suspended, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the deputy prime minister and minister of transport, will become the caretaker leader. Suriya, 70, is a veteran of Thai politics, having entered the fray in the 1990s and served in various cabinet positions for multiple parties since, including the predecessor of the ruling Pheu Thai party. What happens with the court case? The court has ordered Paetongtarn to stop performing her duties until it makes a decision. In a statement, the court said the premier will have 15 days to respond to the allegations made by the petitioners, following which proceedings will continue. What can Paetongtarn do in the interim? As part of a cabinet reshuffle announced earlier today, ahead of the court's statement, Paetongtarn was appointed as the minister of culture. Once she is sworn into the position on July 3, she will be able to attend cabinet meetings in her capacity as a minister, despite the suspension from the constitutional court. What about parliament? Thailand's parliament will reconvene on July 3. The Bhumjaithai party, a former member of Paetongtarn's ruling alliance, had previously threatened to straightaway move a no-confidence motion against the premier and her cabinet on Thursday. But such a move cannot take place with the premier now suspended. In any case, for the motion to succeed, Bhumjaithai would need the support of the People's Party, the largest opposition group that is yet to decide on its position. Are there any other cases underway? The national anti-corruption commission, which has a wide remit, is also probing Paetongtarn for any ethical violations emanating from the leaked phone call between her and Hun Sen. This is based on a petition filed by the same group of 36 senators who also moved the constitutional court. It is unclear when the NACC will conclude its investigation, but this process could lead to another case at Thailand's Supreme Court, which may rule to ban Paetongtarn from politics. What about public protests? Several thousand people gathered in the Thai capital on Saturday in the largest anti-government protest since the Pheu Thai party took power in 2023. The organisers, who have called on Paetongtarn to step down, have threatened to escalate protests if she does not quit. Some of those who led Saturday's demonstration are veterans of previous protest movements that played a role in bringing down governments led by Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Is Thaksin under pressure? Former premier Thaksin, who remains one of Thailand's most influential but divisive politicians, is currently facing a criminal court case, in which he is accused of violating the country's strict lese majeste law during a media interview in 2015. Thailand has one of the world's harshest lese majeste laws, setting jail terms of up to 15 years for anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family. The Supreme Court is also holding a series of hearings on Thaksin's prolonged hospital stay, in lieu of prison, following his return to Thailand in 2023 after years in self-exile. An adverse verdict in this case could see Thaksin, 75, sent to jail.
Irish Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Thailand's political crisis deepens after suspension of prime minister over leaked call
Thailand 's constitutional court has suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending a decision on whether to oust her for ethical violations, deepening a political crisis in the southeast Asian country. The court suspended Ms Paetongtarn effective from Tuesday after accepting a petition that alleged she had violated ethical standards in a phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. It is alleged that she disparaged the powerful Thai military while discussing a border dispute. Ms Paetongtarn has 15 days to submit her defence to the court, which did not say when the final verdict would be announced. Following the suspension, Ms Paetongtarn said she accepted the court order and that she had 'no ill intentions' in the phone call with Hun Sen. READ MORE Deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over as caretaker, media reported. Ms Paetongtarn, who has been in power for 10 months, has been under mounting pressure since the June phone call, particularly from the country's powerful military-royalist establishment. A conservative coalition partner withdrew from Ms Paetongtarn's ruling alliance, leaving her with a slim majority in parliament. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of Thais demonstrated in Bangkok calling for her to step down. In the call with Hun Sen, Ms Paetongtarn appeared to blame Thailand's military for aggravating a May border dispute with Cambodia that resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier. She is also accused of taking a conciliatory tone that undercut Thailand's national interests. Hun Sen released a recording of the call, in which Ms Paetongtarn referred to him as 'uncle'. Ms Paetongtarn has apologised for the call and said the comments were a negotiating tactic. The political turmoil threatens a truce between the Shinawatra family and Thailand's conservative establishment. The truce allowed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – the political clan's patriarch and Ms Paetongtarn's father – to return from exile in 2023. The conservative establishment has long clashed with the Shinawatras, resulting in military coups that in the past removed Mr Thaksin and his sister Yingluck from power. Ms Paetongtarn's predecessor Srettha Thavisin, another Thaksin ally, was removed from office last year over a cabinet appointment that the court said breached ethical standards. While analysts have ruled out an immediate military intervention, they say the chances of a coup would rise if Ms Paetongtarn clings to power. Mr Thaksin also faces legal challenges. He faces charges of insulting the country's monarchy, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. He appeared in a Bangkok court on Tuesday for the case, which relates to an interview he gave to South Korean media in 2015. Mr Thaksin has denied the charges. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Why Thailand's PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended and what it means for fragile political landscape
Thailand's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from her duties following a ruling by the Constitutional Court over allegations she violated ministerial ethics in connection with a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The suspension comes amid renewed border tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations and has further shaken Thailand's already fragile political landscape. On Tuesday, the nine-member court decided by a 7–2 majority to remove Ms Shinawatra from her prime ministerial role while it investigates the complaint brought by 36 conservative senators. The petition accuses her of undermining Thailand's military and national interest by describing a Thai Army commander as her 'opponent' and referring to Mr Hun Sen in familial terms – calling him 'uncle' – during a private conversation that was later leaked. Ms Shinawatra's duties have now been handed to deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit in a caretaker capacity while the inquiry proceeds, reported Al Jazeera. However, she retains her place in the cabinet, having been named culture minister during a recent reshuffle. Following the court's ruling, she appeared before reporters at Government House in Bangkok and said: 'The ruling has come out, and I accept the court's decision. I'd like to reiterate that it's always been my intention to do the best thing for my country.' Impact of phone conversation on Thailand's politics The leaked conversation, reportedly intended to de-escalate tensions following a deadly cross-border clash on 28 May that left one Cambodian soldier dead, has sparked a political storm. Critics, particularly from the conservative bloc, accused Ms Shinawatra of appeasing Cambodia and disrespecting the military. The backlash has weakened her Pheu Thai Party -led coalition, which was already dealing with internal strains. One party has exited the alliance, and a no-confidence vote in parliament is now anticipated. Political scientist Dr Purawich Watanasukh of Thammasat University said the temporary suspension would contribute to further instability. 'In the longer term, the government's stability is likely to become even more fragile due to the uncertainty surrounding Paetongtarn's situation,' he told Al Jazeera. A final ruling could take weeks or even months, leaving the administration in a state of limbo. Ms Shinawatra is the third member of her family to serve as Thailand's premier, following her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Both were ousted in previous coups and court rulings widely viewed as politically motivated. Analysts suggest her suspension continues this pattern of judicial intervention against the Shinawatra dynasty. Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a professor at Kyoto University 's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, described the court's decision as a move that erodes Ms Shinawatra's authority and legitimacy. 'This decision could deepen rifts within Pheu Thai's coalition and embolden its rivals, both inside and outside parliament,' he said, adding that such instability could distract the government at a time when the country faces serious economic and geopolitical headwinds. The suspension comes as Thailand grapples with a resurgent border conflict with Cambodia, rooted in longstanding disputes over land demarcation. The immediate cause of the renewed hostilities was an exchange of gunfire in a contested frontier zone on 28 May, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Both nations claimed they acted in self-defence, but tensions have escalated since. The 817km boundary between Thailand and Cambodia, drawn during the French colonial era in 1907, has never been fully demarcated. Cambodia has historically relied on the original French maps to assert its claims, while Thailand contests the accuracy of those documents. Periodic violence and nationalist flare-ups have punctuated efforts to resolve the disputes. One of the most contentious sites is the Preah Vihear temple, an 11th-century Hindu monument perched atop a cliff along the border. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the site to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand has long disputed the ruling, particularly the surrounding land. Armed clashes over the temple flared in 2008 when Cambodia applied to list it as a Unesco World Heritage site, with further violence erupting in 2011 and again in 2013, when the ICJ reaffirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the area and ordered Thai troops to withdraw. Although the latest incident in May occurred away from the Preah Vihear temple, the area remains symbolic of broader territorial and historical grievances. Cambodian officials have indicated they plan to take four unresolved areas, including the site of the most recent clash, back to the ICJ. Thailand, meanwhile, insists that all border disagreements should be settled through the bilateral Joint Border Commission established in 2000. Officials in Phnom Penh have argued that this mechanism has failed to produce results and should be abandoned in favour of international arbitration. In response to the 28 May clash, both countries issued statements pledging to maintain peace and pursue dialogue. However, each side has taken aggressive steps short of military confrontation. Thailand imposed heavy restrictions at its border, allowing crossings only for humanitarian or essential purposes. Cambodia retaliated by halting imports of Thai fruits, vegetables, fuel and cultural content such as films and TV shows. It also severed select internet and electricity links, further raising tensions. The political implications of the conflict have added pressure on Ms Shinawatra's administration. While her government initially struck a conciliatory tone, the Thai military adopted a more assertive stance, warning of a potential 'high-level operation' if Thai sovereignty was perceived to be under threat. Ms Shinawatra later echoed these remarks while reaffirming Thailand's preference for peaceful resolution. The mixed messaging underscored deeper divisions between her civilian government and the military establishment – a divide that has shaped Thai politics for decades. Critics view the court's decision to suspend Ms Shinawatra as another episode in the protracted power struggle between elected governments and Thailand's conservative establishment, which includes the judiciary, military and royalist elites. Her predecessor, Mr Srettha Thavisin, was also removed by the Constitutional Court in 2024 over alleged ethical violations. The same constitutional provisions – specifically Article 170, which requires ministers to demonstrate "evident integrity" – have been invoked again in this case. Dr Prem Singh Gill, a constitutional law scholar at Muhammadiyah University in Indonesia, said the case raised broader concerns about judicial overreach and the politicisation of constitutional ethics. 'This isn't merely political theatre; it's constitutional adjudication with serious separation of powers implications,' he said. He also pointed out that diplomatic exchanges such as the one between Ms Shinawatra and Mr Hun Sen are typically protected under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. 'Their weaponisation constitutes a potential breach of diplomatic protocol and customary international law,' he said. Mr Hun Sen's decision to release the phone call has also come under scrutiny. Though no longer prime minister, he remains an influential political figure in Cambodia as Senate president and father to current prime minister Hun Manet. The Shinawatra and Hun families have long-standing ties, and their continued involvement in politics has shaped bilateral relations. In Thailand, the ruling has sparked renewed criticism from opposition parties. Parit Wacharasindhu, a Member of Parliament for the People's Party, wrote on social media: 'The People's Party has never feared anyone and never trusted the Paetongtarn government … but changing the government must not come at the cost of undermining democratic principles.' He warned that removing an elected leader without due process risks deepening public disillusionment.
